Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 670,|96. Patented Mar. l9, l90l. E. R. 600K.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Applicabionflled Apr. 5, 1900.) (No Model.)

In: cams PETERS co. PHOTD-UTNO.. wuumamu. n. c.

linrrnn STATES Brion;

PATENT ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,196, dated March19, 1901.

Application filed April 5, 1900.

To (6 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDMOND RANDOLPH COOK, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Sacramento, county of Sacramento, State ofCalifornia, have invented an Improvement in Acetylene-Gas Machines; andI hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription 01": the same.

My invention relates to an apparatus for generating acetylene gas; andit consists of the parts and the constructions and combinations of partshereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l is a longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3is a detail of a portion of one of the troughs 21. Fig. 4 is adetail ofone of the reducing-nozzles.

This apparatus is especially designed for the product-ion of acetylenegas and its storage under a constant pressure, whereby the supply to theburners is effected whenever the cooks are opened under such conditionsthat the burners will be kept clear and prevented from clogging. It isparticularly intended for use on locomotives for headlight purposes.

The apparatus consists of two chambers A and B, one superposed above theother. For ordinary uses these chambers may be formed in a singlevertically-disposed cylinderof sufficient length; but I have here shownthe apparatus as comprising a vertical chamber A and a horizontalchamber B, the two being connected together and having a pipe 2extending from the bottom of the chamberAto near the bottom of thegenerator B, so that water being placed in the upper tank will passthrough the pipe 2 into the lower part of the generator, producing anupward pressure on any gas or like medium contained in the generator,which pressure will depend on the height of the water in the tank A. Thehead of the chamber A is closed except for the opening 55, having asealing-plug, through which thetank is ordinarily filled with water. 54is a smaller opening to connect with an injector (not shown) by whichthe engineer or operator can let in water in case at any time more isdesired.

Within the tank A is a vertical tube 3, extending to near the top of thetank, closed at the upper end and having its lower end in erialNm11,670. N model open communication with the generator; Into this tubethe gas from the generator passes under whatever pressure may be produced by the height of the column of water, as previously stated.

From the upper end of the tubular chain: her 3 a pipe 4 extends, passingdown to a T 5, and acoil 6 connects with this T, and winding about thelower part of the tank A it forms a number of turns. Thence the pipe 7extends upwardly and connects with a purifyingchamber 8. This chamberhas screens 9 in the bottom and top, and intermediate between thesescreens is a filling of any suitable drying and purifying material, theobject of which is to arrest any moisture which has reached this pointand condense it and carbon or other deleterious substances which may becarried by the gas and which would ordinarily clog the burners.

From the upper part of the purifier 8 a tube 10 extends and connectswith a regulator, as shown at 11. From this regulator the gas isdelivered to the pipe 12 to pass to the burners. I have shown a designof regulator particularly adapted for locomotive use. A regulator orsome means of insuring a steady light is absolutely essential. While theaction of the water in the chamber insures a certain constant pressureon the gas and would be a suflicient regulator in case the machine wasat rest, when it comes to use on locomotives or where the jar and washof the water is continuous and violent it is necessary to have means ofrelieving the otherwise serious fluctuations in the head of gas.

As a means of relieving any excess of pressure in the two tanks by thetoo great accumulation of gas in the chamber B, I have provided a safetymechanism or water-seal connection of the chamber A with the outer air.It consists of a trap or cup 14, with perforations 15, suspended in theupper part of the tank "A and containing water. A pipe 13, with one enddipping into this trap, extends down and through the two tanks andterminates in another trap 16, exterior to the chamber B, havingperforations 17 connecting with the open air. Consequently as the Waterin A passes into the chamber B air enters through the water-trap 16 upthrough pipe 13 and the water in trap 14, and as the accumulating gasforces water again into chamber A the air finds egress through the samechannel, and should the pressure of gas continue the water and even thegas itself could thus escape and prevent excessive strain of the partsor possible bursting. A self-regulating means of maintaining constantatmospheric pressure in A is thus afforded. The reason for the chamber Abeing otherwise closed securely at the top and the water seal used is toovercome danger of explosion-as,.

for instance, by the careless handling of a torch by the oilerand as thegenerator is generally active only at night, and as that is when torchesand lanterns are passing frequently in and about the various parts of anengine, the reason for a machine so safeguarded is obvious.

It will be understood from the arrangement of the tubular chamber 3,closed at the top, that no gas enters the chamber A outside of this tubeand the connected pipe 4 and related parts, the chamber A serving simplyas a receiver for the water when the latter is forced out of thegenerator-chamber through the pipe 2 by pressure of gas in said chamberand allowing the water to again return into the generator-chamber whenthe amount of gas therein has been sufficiently reduced. Thisgenerator-chamber has fixed in it the horizontal chambers 18, which arehere shown as cylindrical and having heads or caps 19 on their outerends with suitable means forforming tight joints. These chambers 18serve to contain the carbid-trays 20, which are introduced whenever theheads 19 are removed and the latter again replaced after charging.

Above the carbid-trays and supported in any appropriate manner aretroughs 21, having perforations in the bottom, and these troughs areslightly inclined, so that the ends at the rear of the chambers 18 are alittle lower than the frontends. The trough is held in position by loops53 at either end. These loops are fastened to the top of the chambers18. One loop is a little longer than the other to give an inclination tothe trough. This causes water supplied to these trays to flow to therear end and to be distributed with considerable evenness from one endto the other of the carbid-chambers by reason of the perforations in thebottom of the troughs. VVater is supplied to these troughs through pipes22. These pipes have reducing-nozzles, as shown at 23, where theydeliver into the troughs, so as not to allow too large a quantity ofwater to pass through them. The reducing-nozzles may be drilled plugsfitting an elbow on the end of the pipes 22. They may be removed andreplaced by larger or smaller ones, as the exigencies of the caserequire. These pipes 22 have a cross-pipe 52 connecting them with athree-way cock, as shown at 24, this cock being intermediate of thepipes 22. A pipe 25 leads from the cock 24, and, being turned upwardly,its upper open end terminates a short distance below the top of thegenerator-tank B. 26 represents two other pipes, one upon each side of25 and connecting with the cross-pipe leading to the pipes 22, one uponeach side of the cook 24. These pipes 26 are longer than the pipe 25 forthe following purpose: The carbid-trays in the chambers 18 being bothcharged and in position, the cock 24: will be turned so thatit connectsthe pipe 25 through one of the pipes 22 with the corresponding carbidcontail'ling chamber. The water risingin the generatortank B until itreaches the level of the upper end of the pipe 25 will flow into thispipe, thence passing through the cock 2% and the pipe 22 will bedistributed by the perforated tray 21, and, the carbid being moistened,the gas will commence to form in this chamber. It passes out through itsconnecting-pipe 27, thence into a cross-pipe 28, which unites the twopipes 27, and thence through the pipe 29, which delivers it into theupper part of the tubular chamber 3 of the tank A, and as the gascontinues to form it overcomes the water-pressure and gradually passesdown int-o the generator tank or chamber B. As it accumulates in thegenerator tank or chamber B it forces the water into the lower part ofthe pipe 2 and thence upwardly into the pressure-chamber A. The gas willthus continue to form as long as there is suificient moisture upon thecarbid; but as the pressure has forced the level of the water in thegenerator below the top of the pipe 25 it will soon cease to form, anduntil it is used out of the generator little or no gas will be formed.In the cross-pipe 2S and on either side of its connection with the pipe29 are stop-cocks 51, by which gas may be entirely shut off from eitherchamber, as when either of the carbid-trays are being recharged. As soonas the gas commences to flow to the burners the water will risecorrespondingly until it again flows into the pipe 25 and again moistensthe carbid. This action will continue until such time as the carbidwithin the first chamber has been exhausted. Then the water will rise bythe reduction in the quantityof gas until it arrives at the levelof thepipes 26,which,as before stated. have their uppereuds higher than 25.The water will then flow into these pipes 26; but as the firstcarbid-chamber is already flooded no further action will take place inthis chamber; but the water flowing through the other pipe 26 will passinto the second carbid-chamber and will thus produce gas from thischamber in the manner previously described until it is exhausted. Thethree pipes 25 and 26 thus described having their ends open andterminating at dilferent heights within the chamber B, with theirconnections, form an automatic water-regulator for the carbid-cylindersindependent in action of the gas-discharge pipes from these cylinders.This latter feature is assured by the use of the reducingnozzles 23,which, supporting a column of water of corresponding large diameter,prevent the outlet of gas except through the discharge-pipes 27, whichlatter are of sufficient size for the purpose. The action of thesewater-feed pipes and gas-discharge pipes independently is important, forthereby the violent and spasmodic fluctuation in the generation of gasand the relative changes in the tanks 13 and A are avoided that wouldotherwise happen in case a single pipe performed both the functions offeeding water and discharging gas. \Vhen one of these carbid-cylindershas become exhausted, the tray may be removed, recharged, and replacedwithout discontinuing the action of the machine. The cook 24 is turnedto connect the pipe 25 with the cylinder which is not exhausted, and thecock 50 on the side of the disused cylinder is turned to prevent gas orwater from tank l5 escaping through the pipe 26 to the open air when thetray is taken out. When the tray is replaced, this cook 50 is opened andthis carbid-chamber is again in readiness.

The condition of the chambers can be tested at any time by opening acook 30, one of which connects with each of said chambers. If gas flowsout, the chamber has not been exhausted; but if water appears it willindicate that the chamber has been exhausted and should be renewed.

In order to relieve any pressure which may occur by the clogging of someportion of the apparatus or for other reason, I have shown safety-pipes31, connected directly with the gas-pipes 27, extending upwardlytherefrom and opening into the generator-chamber independently of thepipe 29. These pipes are provided with check-valves at 32 to prevent areturn of gas, and they act as safety-valves in case of sudden pressure.

The gas-pipe 29 connects with the pipe 34 at the T 33 in line below thevertical tubular chamber 3, and from this T the gas-conveying pipeextends upwardly, as before described, to the upper part of the chamber3. below the T 33 is a pipe 3st, which extends down through the bottomof the generator or chamber B and is provided with a draw-off cook 35.This pipe serves to receive any condensed moisture from the gas beforeit is delivered into the chamber 3, and this moisture can be drawn outfrom time to time.

The coil 6, through which the gas passes after leaving the chamber 3,also serves as a condensing-coil, being surrounded by the water in thechamber, and the T 5 has a pipe extending downward from the lower endand connecting with a condensing-chamber 36, from the bottom of which apipe leads to the cook 37, exterior to the generator or chamber B, forthe purpose of drawing off collected moisture.

The tendency of the carbid-chambers to become unduly heated by the actof forming gas from the moistened carbid is checked by reason of thesurrounding water contained in the generator or chamber B, which coversand submerges the carbid-chamber.

The arrangement of the closed top tube 3 and the pipe 29, through whichgas is delivered to the upper part of the tube, forms a trap to preventwater from passing into the service connecting-pipe 4 if by neglect orother cause the carbid-chambers should be flooded and the water rise inpipe 29 to the level of that in tank A. In such a case when thecarbid-chambers are recharged and gas is again produced it will firstforce the water in the pipes out through the top of pipe 29, and thewater would then be returned to the generator-chamber without being ableto pass into the conductor 4.

In the form here shown the apparatus is especially designedfol-supplying the burners of locomotive-headlights and for likepositions where there is a great deal of swaying and movement.

In order to prevent violent agitation of wa ter in the generator orchamber l3 and its being thrown up into the pipes which supply thecarbid-chambers, I have shown screens 40, placed at intervalstransversely to prevent undue agitation, While allowing water and gas topass freely through them.

It will be understood that the water-spray troughs, carbid-trays, andall parts contained in the carbid-chambers are freely removable forclearing or for other purposes and by reason of the construction thecarbid -holders can be recharged successively while the machine is inoperation without affecting, the steadiness of the lights.

By reason of the transverse and vertical shaking movements of alocomotive, for the headlight of which this apparatusis particularlydesigned, and because the water-pressure does not give an even pressureat all times the regulator 11 is a necessary adjunct to the apparatus.As there is no perceptible jar or irregularity of motion in the line oftravel of the locomotive, I fix the regulator with its diaphragm etl andcompression-plate transverse to the line of travel, so that the side andvertical movements will have little or no effect upon it. The diaphragmis flexible, and the gas inlet and outlet pipes 10 and 12 open into thechamber on one side thereof. A lever 42 is fulcrumed near the top ofthis chamber, as at a, and the lower end of the lever is pivoted to thehorizontal stem 43, which is secured by a nut 44 to the plate 45, sothat variations of pressure within this chamber will swing the lever bymoving the diaphragm. The lever has an arm 46, uponwhichisarubbercompression-valve 47, which controls the inlet-openingfrom pipe 10, and any increase of pressure which would press thediaphragm outward would act through the lever to close the valve, whilea reduction in pressure would allow it to open. The effect of the gasand its products is to cause metal valves to stick to their seats, andthis is avoided by using the rubber compressionvalve. A spring A8depends into the chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm, and itspressure upon the end of the stem 43 to counteract the opposing pressureof gas on the other side is regulated by an adjusting-screw 49.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a gas-machine, and in combinationtherewith, a mechanism whereby the feed supply of water to thecarbidcontaining chamber is self-regulating and independent of thegas-discharge pipes from these chambers, consisting of three pipesjoined to a cross-pipe which latter terminates at either end in areduced outlet in either of the carbid-chambers, the ends of the threepipes being open, the two outer pipes of uniform length, the middle oneshorter than the other two and containing a three-way cock at its pointof juncture with the above-mentioned crosspipe, and cocks in thiscross-pipe intermediate of the reduced ends and the longer pipes.

2. The combination in a gas-machine of a generating-chamber, asuperposed pressureehamber containing water, a pipe connecting with thebottom of said chamber and extending to near the bottom of thegenerator-chamber, carbid-trays, the containing-chambers of which extendinto the lower part. of the generator-chamber, a water-supply consistingof trays having perforated bottoms, said trays being inclined from thefront toward the rear, means for supplying water from the generator tosaid trays, means for conducting the gas from the generator-chamber tothe upper part of the generator, a supplemental safety-pipe connectingthe gas-pipe with the generator and a valve therein whereby suddenpressure in the apparatus is relieved.

3. The combination in a gas-machine of a generator and a superposedpressure-chamber, a pipe extending from the bottom of thepressure-chamber to near the bottom of the generator whereby water istransferred from one to the other, and a constant pressure in the upperpart of the generator maintained, carbid-containing trays and inclosingchambers therefor, means for supplying water to act upon the carbid, apipe through which gas thus produced is transferred from thecarbidchambers,a vertically-disposed tubular chamber contained withinthe pressure-chamber of the apparatus having its upper end closed, andits lower end in open communication with the generator-chamber, a pipethrough which the generated gas is delivered into the upper part of thetubular chamber and transferred downwardly into the generator while thedisplaced waterjs returned into the pressurechamber, and independentvalved pipes connecting the gas-pipe with the generator whereby suddenpressure in the apparatus is relieved.

4. In a gas-machine, a generator, posed pressure-chamber containing pipeextending from its bottom to near the bottom of the generator-chamberthrough which water is transferred from one chamber a superwater, a

to the other, carbid-trays and containingchambers therefor extendinginto the lower part of the generator, a tubular chamber extendingupwardly into the pressure-chamber having the upper end closed, and thelower end in open communication with the generator, a pipe by which gasis transmitted from the carbid-chambers and delivered into the upperpart of said tubular chamber, said gas returninginto the generator-chamber against the pressure of the water therein whereby aconstant water-pressure upon the gas is maintained, and said pipeterminating short of the closed top of the tubular chamber to form atrap to prevent water passing into the service-pipe if thecarbid-chambers should be flooded and the water should fill said pipe, apipe discharging gas from the upper part of the tubular chamber, andmeans for condensing moisture and discharging the same.

5. The combination in a gas-machine of a generating-chamber,and asuperposed watercontaining pressure-chamber, a pipe extending fromthe'bottom of the pressure-chamber to near the bottom of thegenerating-chamber, a tubular open-botto m chamber connecting with thegenerating-chamber extending upward into the pressure-chamber havingitsupper end closed, a conducting-pipe by which the gas is delivered intothe upper part of said tubular chamber, means connecting saidconducting-pipe with the generating-chamber and relieving suddenpressure in the apparatus, and a service-pipe leading from the top ofsaid chamber.

6. In a gas-machine, a generating and a superposed pressure chamber withconnecting waterpipe, carbid trays and containing chambers therefor,submerged within the generator, an inclined perforated watertroughlocated above each carbid-tray, pipes connecting with said troughs, across-pipe connecting the last-named pipes and a pipe leading from thecrosspipe and opening within the generator and adapted to receive watertherefrom by overflow, an intermediate pipe connecting with thecross-pipe,the inner receiving end of said intermediate pipe being lowerthan the first-named pipes, and a threeway cock in said cross-pipeadapted to be connected with either of said pipes and carbid-supplytroughs.

7. In a gas-machine, the carbid-trays and inclosing chambers submergedwithin the generator-tank, inclined perforated-bottom troughs locatedabove each of the trays, pipes having one end discharged into one of thetrays, the other ends opening in the upper part of the generator-chamberto receive water therefrom by overflow, a transverse pipe connecting thetwo having a three-way cock within its length, a third pipe connectingthrough said cock and having its inner end at a less height than theinner ends of the other pipes, whereby it will first receive water byoverflow and transmit it to either of the carbid-trays.

8. In a gas-machine, a generator-chamber, a superposed pressure-chamber,havinga pipe extending from its bottom to the lower part of thegenerator-chamber whereby pressure in the latter is maintained,carbid-trays and containing-chambers therefor submerged in thegenerator-chamber, inclined perforated troughs located above thecarbid-trays, and overflow pipes connecting the generatorchamber withsaid troughs so as to successively exhaust and supply the water to thecarbid-trays, pipes through which the gas from said trays is deliveredthrough the generator, a tubular open bottomed chamber connecting withthe generator extending upward into the pressure-chamber, having itsupper end closed into the upper end of which said gas conducting pipedischarges, and pipes connecting the gas-pipes with the generator andhaving check-valves to relieve the apparat us of sudden pressure and toprevent a return of gas to the chambers.

9. In a gas-machine, a generator-chamber, a superposed pressure-chamberwith waterpipe connecting the two as shown,carbid-containing trays withinclosing chambers, means for supplying water thereto, pipes by whichgas is conducted from said chambers, an independent pipe connecting eachof the lastnamed pipes with the generator and provided with means forrelieving sudden pressure and preventing back flow of gas, a tubularopenbottomed chamber located in the pressurechamber having its upper endclosed, a pipe extending to near the top within said chamber, a T bywhich it is connected with the gas-conductor, and abranch extending invertical line therewith through the bottom of the generator with a cockfor the collection and discharge of condensed moisture.

10. In a gas-machine, a generating-chamber, a superposed pressurechamber containing water, a pipe connecting said chambers so that aconstant pressure is produced in the generator-chamber, carbid trays andholders,

with means for moistening carbid, means for conducting the gastherefrom, a tubular vertically disposed closed-top and open -bottomedchamber located within the pressurechamber into which the gas isdelivered, a pipe leading from the upper part of said chamber, acondensing-coil with which said pipe connects, and from which the gas isdelivered to the service-pipe, a receiver and discharge pipe connectedwith the lower end of said coil, and a cup having overflow perforationsleading to the outside of the generator whereby the condensed moisturemay be discharged.

11. In a gas-machine and in combination, a generator-chamber, asuperposed water-containing pressure-chamber, a pipe connecting the twowhereby constant pressure is maintained within the generator,carbid-trays and containing-chambers, means for moistening the carbid,means for conducting the gas therefrom, a closed top, a tubular chamberlocated within the pressure-chamber and having open communication withthe upper part of the generator-chamber, a pipe connecting with thegas-conductor and discharging into the upper part of said chamber, asupplemental means connecting the gas-pipe with the generator andprovided with means for relieving sudden pressure in the apparatus, adelivery-pipe leading from said chamber, a condensing-coil in the bottomof the pressurechamber through which the gas passes, a moisture-receiverconnected therewith, and a service-pipe.

12. In agas-machine, agenerating-chamber and a superposed closed-topwater-containing pressure-chamber with connecting-pipe whereby constantpressure is maintained in the generating-chamber, means for generatinggas and delivering it into the generatingchamber, and mechanism wherebythe excessive strain in the chambers by the too great accumulation ofgas in the generating-chamber is relieved, and connection of the upperpart of the pressure-chamber with the outer air is afforded so that theatmospheric pressure in the pressure-chamber remains constant.

13. Inagas-machine, agenerating-chamber and a superposed coveredwater-containing pressure chamber, connecting means for maintainingconstant pressure in the generating-chamber, means for generating gasand delivering itinto the generating-chamber, a trap located in theupper part of the pressurechamber, a curved pipe having its open enddipping into said trap, said pipe extending downwardly, and through thebottom of the generating-chamber and a trap exterior thereto into whichsaid pipe dips.

14. In a gas-machine, a generating-chamber and gasometer, a superposedwater-containing pressure-chamber, a connecting-pipe by which constantpressure is maintained within the generator and gasometer,carbid-containing trays and inclosing chambers therefor submerged in thegenerator-chamber, overflow-pipes receiving water from thegenerator-chamber and delivering it into the carbidtrays, pipes throughwhich the generated gas is conducted and delivered into a chamberlocated in the pressure-chamber, and thence returned to thegenerator-chamber and supplemental pipes opening into thegeneratorchamber, and check-valves therein.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDMOND RANDOLPH COOK.

Witnesses:

CHARLES MEALAND, CHARLES E. WRIGHT.

